bosch washing machine noisy

doningtonphil

hello

we have a bosch washing machine approx 5 years old. today a noise we had never heard before started. It became more noticeable during spin but on messing round with it can hear a grinding/rubbing sound from the top left hand side of the drum when I spin the drum by hand.

My first thought is that a bearing has gone, but that is because I dont know what other components are in there.

Other advice sites have suggested the possibility of a foreign object being trapped causing the noise. I cleaned out the filter and found what may have been a bra wire so there is a possibility something else could be trapped.

Can anyone advise
1) Is there any simple investigation I can do to check foor foreign objects and check condition of components?
2)Bosch website offers an engineer visit for 89.00 callout/labour plus parts. What sort of prices should I pay for call out and parts?

Hope you can help

Myser

To check if the bearings have gone, see if the drum slides just inside the rubber seal.

This video on YouTube shows you how to check:

Check washing machine bearings

doningtonphil

thanks for this link

I tried suggestion and I can move the drum for and aft (pinch it closer to the front of the door and it springs back as if on a rubber mount. As far as 'lifting' it vertically it will not lift. I can only move forward and back. I cant tell from the video of this is what they mean by lifting. Should the drum not move at all (apart from spinning obviously)

doningtonphil

Can anyone offer any help?
Should I be able to move the drum forward and back as tried above? When I do there is a rubber squeaky sound (technical eh?).
Is there anything I can check?
What is a reasonable cost for callout/labour?
Thanks for looking

Myser

It's seems that it may not be the bearings then.

The drum in suspended with springs and suspension struts so, it should return back to its normal position.

How old is the machine? Has it had heavy use?

Removing the drum outer casing isn't an easy task on Bosch washing machines.

If you are good with mechanics, there is video tutorial on the espares website that shows you how to dismantle the drum on a particular Bosch washing machine.

dacouch

Brushes ?

Myser

If the motor brushes were on their way out, the drum would be spinning intermittently or not at all.

macman

An independent white goods repair service will charge a lot less than Bosch. Mine charges £49 for call out, diagnosis and repair, parts being the only extra on top of that.

doningtonphil

Machine is 4 years old. Used once a day though my OH just like to put lots in a load.
Had local independent out. They charged £36 for call out and diagnosis (which gets deducted from any repair cost).The lad came out and said it sounded that the rumbling sound was the VERY early stages of a bearing going. He said some Bosch machines have sealed drum zoo entire drum has to be replaced so could cost about 180.00 but if he can get in drum will just need a bearing kit.

'Thankfully' on taking lid off he saw drum could be split so he phoned the office for a price for a bearing kit. She phoned him back and it didn't sound like she gave him a price. He then proceeded to tell me that the parts would cost 120.00!!!!!! and labour would take total to 180.00!!!!
I let him leave and then checked Bosch parts website. Bearing kit is £32.00.
I phoned the lady in the office and told her what the lad had advised the parts cost and what I found them for. She said it sounds like he had got 'a bit confused' and will call him to clarify.

She called and confirmed the parts are 30.00 but that labour is £120.00!!!! as it is a 2man job then 30.00 for VAT.

I know previous poster said it is tricky to get into a Bosch drum but 120.00??????

The lad even suggested that as it is v. early with a couple of months life I could sign up fo a warranty, wait 2 months, then claim. He really didnt sound like he wanted the work. He told be he had been on 18 of these call outs yesterday. At 36.00 a pop maybe he doesn't need the extra work?!?!?!?!?

I feel aggrieved at paying the 36.00 (not paid yet) as although he 'diagnosed' a fault I don't feel I can trust it and he has priced the repair so that I don't use them and so get my 36.00 reimbursed if you see what I mean?

What do you think?

macman

You were quoted £36 for a call out and diagnosis, which appears to be what you got-so what is your objection?

doningtonphil

I said i feel aggrieved as it seems to have been a 'dead end call out', I get the impression they dont want any more business from me by sticking to the 180.00 overall repair cost which appears to remain the same whether the whole drum needed replacing, the bearing kit costs 120.00 (as stated by the lad when he was at my house) or if the bearing kit costs 30.00 as stated by the lady in the office. Also, as mentioned previously, he suggested I sign up for a warratny and get bosch to do the work.

Or is 120.00+ VAT a reasonable price for labour to replace bearings on a bosch washing machine?